Intimate Gallery , Opening, September 29

My cloud photographs are equivalents of my most profound life experience, my basic philosophy of life.
–Alfred Stieglitz (1846-1946)

Last spring, I proposed to curate a show inspired by the article, The Intimate Gallery and the Equivalents: Spirituality in the 1920s Work of Stieglitz, to open this fall. It was about how Alfred Stieglitz hung his gallery that he owned in Manhattan. The ideas expressed in this article are very much in keeping with my thesis. Simply stated, I believe messages, ideas, and presences within our art and lives exist that are not always visible but exist invisibly. These less perceivable ideas have more power than the obvious. I’ve attached the article if you would like to read it. Lucky me… my proposal was awarded with space and opens September 29.

In short, the artists that showed their work in his gallery often had their art intermixed with other artists’. Stieglitz thought a show’s voice, query or statement would present itself through the work. This thought rang true for me. In part, as a Quaker I believe there is a collective consciousness that presents itself if given a chance. Quakers often call it the silent still voice. Romantic–isn’t it?

This show is an experiment. This is how I hope it will work. Everyone included in the show is a second year MFA student. As a group we have been working towards our own thesis, finding and developing our own message and voice and expressing it through our work. For the most part the art has been accompanied by an artist statement and explanation. It has been examined singularly and segregated from the other students. In this show, the works by these artists will be presented as a whole–neither divided by artist nor theme.

These artists have been working together for at least the last year. They have had common societal experiences and pressures through school and culture. This will be a chance for the work to speak in unison or in concert. It will be hung salon style minus artist statements. It is my hope that the work will deliver a message, messages, or queries to the viewers through the hang as the individual works relate to other pieces and the visitor. It is possible we’ll see none at all but I have faith that will not be the case.

I hope you will be able to come to the opening of the Intimate Gallery ? Room 148, September 29 between 6-8 p.m. at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 2501 Stevens Avenue S.

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Author: ShadowMason

ShadowMason is the online persona of Bill Hendricks. Bill teaches at Minneapolis Community Technical College, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He teaches graphic and web design. He is an artist and holds a MFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In his position at MCTC he appreciates the opportunity to assist his students to build a career in design and visual communications. He regards this as a special gift; as a way to show his appreciation to all that assisted and taught him.
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